World Cup semifinals pit top four teams against each other

The World Cup semifinals open with a rare heavyweight lineup: the world’s four top-ranked teams are the last four standing, with France facing Spain on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas, and Argentina meeting England on Wednesday in Atlanta.

The winners will advance to Sunday’s final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, after a tournament bracket that placed Spain, Argentina, France and England in separate sections. The Guardian reported it is the first time in tournament history that the top four ranked teams have all reached the semifinals.

“[France-Spain] could be a World Cup final-before-the-final, just as the game between Argentina and England could also be a final. We are all the top four national teams,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente told reporters Monday.

France-Spain, scheduled for 3 p.m. ET Tuesday, offers the tournament’s clearest clash of strengths. France have the most productive attack at the World Cup, while Spain have the stingiest defense recorded at the tournament in the modern statistical era, according to Opta figures cited by The Guardian.

France have scored 16 goals and generated a tournament-high 14.3 expected goals. Their 47 shots on target amount to 7.8 per game, the highest World Cup average on record since 1966. Kylian Mbappé leads the tournament with eight goals, Ousmane Dembélé has added five, and Michael Olise leads all players with five assists.

Spain have conceded only one goal in six matches, in their 2-1 quarterfinal win over Belgium. They have faced just seven shots on target, an average of 1.17 per game, the lowest recorded at a men’s World Cup. Spain have also averaged 66% possession and 598 completed passes per match.

“We have to be careful not to make any mistakes,” de la Fuente said. “We need to try to have the game under control as much as possible. We need to be sharp and clinical in the boxes. If we are content with what we’ve done so far, things won’t go well.”

Spain are waiting for a breakout performance from Lamine Yamal, who turned 19 on Monday. Yamal, a major figure in Spain’s 2024 Euros run, has scored once in his first World Cup after dealing with a hamstring injury this spring. France midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery called him “extraordinary.”

“The big day from Lamine is yet to come in this World Cup, so I hope tomorrow is his day — if not, the final, if we qualify,” de la Fuente said.

Mbappé also raised injury concerns after leaving France’s quarterfinal against Morocco in the 77th minute and later resting with ice on his right ankle. He called the injury “minor,” and France coach Didier Deschamps said Monday that Mbappé would be “100 percent” for the semifinal.

“In these types of settings and games, he’s there,” Zaïre-Emery said. “He knows how to play. And it’s true he does not want to lose against Spain. He will do everything he can.”

Argentina and England meet Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET in Atlanta, where police said they are increasing staffing and resources around the stadium, entertainment districts and other high-traffic areas. The Atlanta Police Department said the measures are intended to “protect the public, deter criminal activity, and ensure residents and visitors can safely enjoy this historic event.”

The precautions come as attention grows around the England-Argentina rivalry. Argentina’s April 2 War Veterans Federation urged supporters to keep politics out of the match, calling it “not an armed rematch nor historical compensation,” The Guardian reported.

Argentina are the defending champions, while England are seeking their first World Cup final appearance since winning the title in 1966. England reached the semifinal after a tense round-of-16 win over Mexico at Azteca Stadium despite playing a man down from the 54th minute, followed by a quarterfinal victory over Norway in which they held Erling Haaland scoreless. Defender Jarell Quansah, sent off against Mexico, is suspended for the semifinal.

Argentina have been pushed hard in the knockout rounds, going to extra time against Cape Verde, staging a late comeback against Egypt and needing extra time again to beat Switzerland. Lionel Messi, 39, has eight goals and two assists, though his record streak of scoring in nine consecutive World Cup matches ended in the quarterfinal.

Messi and Mbappé are tied in the Golden Boot race with eight goals, with Mbappé ahead on assists, three to two. England’s Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham each have six goals.